Support tempered for local control funding formula
CSBA presses for funding restoration and deferral payback
Published: April 1, 2013
Much of Board Member Action Day May 10 will focus on Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed Local Control Funding Formula, which would increase local decision making and transparency and allocate state funding to all school districts with supplemental grants tied to enrollment of English learners, students from low-income families and foster youth. A sample resolution is available here.
The bid to fundamentally streamline K-12 school finance has been the subject of several hearings in the state Senate and Assembly budget committees and subcommittees, with more to come. CSBA supports the proposal but wants the governor to restore funding levels, pay back the funds owed to schools through the excessive deferrals, and increase the per-pupil funding levels to at least the national average.
“CSBA has significant concern with the proposal’s lack of commitment to restore all cuts and deficits to districts and counties. CSBA’s position calls for restoration to 2007-08 levels as well as a higher target for the base grant level,” CSBA Assistant Executive Director for Governmental Relations Dennis Meyers reported. “While CSBA supports the proposal’s goals of increased local governing board authority, addressing equity, community input and transparency. We continue to voice overarching concerns with the funding level.”
Other concerns include the need to factor regional cost differences into the formula, ensuring accountability for results in student achievement, and Brown’s plan to shift adult education from K-12 to community colleges.
The 2013 Legislative News page—found under the Advocacy tab on CSBA’s new website—has comprehensive information on state budget developments, and the association is preparing talking points and background materials for Board Member Action Day participants. Watch for updates on csba.org.